Kawakawa

Macropiper excelsum, Māori kava, Kawa, Taakawa, Māori bush basil, Pepper tree

Kawakawa is endemic to New Zealand and is common from te Paki south to about North Canterbury

The Kawakawa of the Tangihuas can be found

Along the lodge road and the nature trail. It is a common sub canopy tree.

Kawakawa Description.

Kawakawa grows up to 5m tall with large heart-shaped leaves. It is subcanopy tree and quite common. The leaves have a strong astringent taste hence the name pepper tree or kawakawa in Maori.

The leaves often have ragged, holey appearance due to Kawakawa looper moth caterpillar.

Flowers and fruit

The kawakawa has a cylindrical flower cluster (a spike), with inconspicuous or no petals. They occur on separate male & female plants.

The fruit which is (2 to 5 cm) long is a lot of little fruits clustered on a central stem, each one has a black spot. They are green at first but changing to orange when ripe.

The seed is in the soft, orange spikes and are a favourite food of many birds in late summer who  disperse the seeds in there feces. The fruit is edible with a nice tangy after flavour. It can contain various poisons so eat sparingly.

Maori usage

A native pigeon feeds here hence the missing bit at the top.

The entire tree, root, fruit, seeds and especially the leaves were and are still used as remedies for a variety of aliments. It is used as homeopathic medicine.

• Kawakawa was used for healing cuts and wounds, as an ingredient in vapour baths, and also as an insect repellent.
•   Kawakawa was found to be effective as a blood purifier in cases of eczema, boils, cuts, wounds, rheumatism, neuralgia, ringworm, itching sore feet, and all forms of kidney and skin ailments.
• The leaves were chewed to alleviate a toothache.
• The bruised leaves drew pus from boils and skin infections.
• A drink made from the leaves helped stomach problems and rheumatics when rubbed on joints.
• The leaf, if dried and burnt is an insect repellent.

Kawakawa is also used by the Māori for ceremonies, including removing tapu, and as a symbol of death. Sometimes mourners at Māori funerals wear wreaths of leafy kawakawa twigs (pare kawakawa) around their heads

The fruit is eaten and can be brewed for a tea. Contains Strychnine and can be toxic to some people if they drink too much.